Litchi Tomato (Solanum sysimbrifolium) This is a new plant for 2009. The four plants are thriving. http://www.durgan.org/URL/?Litchi2 11 April 2009 Litchi Tomato (Solanum sysimbrifolium) Morelle de Balbis Growth since 18 February 2009 http://www.durgan.org/URL/?LitchiT 24 April 2009 Litchi Tomato (Solanum sysimbrifolium)
The leaves are certainly a bit odd for tomatoes, but they look like they are doing really well. What size are the pots? I started some tomatoes early this year and I need to transplant them as they are outgrowing their 3 inch pots. I bought some 8 inch pots and hope that they will do the job. I desperately need to get them into the greenhouse as they are getting too big for the light stand. :( I wish the temperatures would warm up. It went down to -6 C. last night and snowed a little bit. My heater in the greenhouse kept the temperature up to 4 C. Do you think that would be warm enough for the tomatoes?
Four degrees is safe. I push the plants towards the center of the greenhouse and have a fan moving the air when the temperature is threatening. I can handle to about minus 10 degrees C overnight outside temperature with my little 6000 BTU natural gas heater. My pots are 7 inches deep, 5 inch bottom diameter, and 6 inch top diameter. probably called 2 liter pots. If the plants get too much larger, I will transplant to the next size up.
Thanks for the information Durgan. My pots are 8" at the top, 6" at the bottom and 6" deep. I think the shape of your pots is a little bit better for tomatoes, but I guess mine will have to do. I think I will transplant the biggest ones and put them in the greenhouse tomorrow. Have you only transplanted your tomatoes once?
Only one transplant so far, but I don't think the plants will last a full month without it being necessary to move up.
Do you ever try planting some early and protect them with cloches and row covers etc? I think I might try that this year with at least a couple of tomatoes and see if it gets me any earlier tomatoes. :)
I have tried early efforts and lost one full planting two years ago. The gain is not worth the pain, since with cold ground the plants stand still. But it is hard to resist if the day are adequate. Two or three plants well protected for night temperatures may be worth a try, certainly where you are located the day sun is quite warm.
I have 47 plants, which is way more than I need, so I can risk a few. LOL I plan to give some of them away. It really warms up fast here when the sun shines at this time of year, especially when protected from the almost constant wind.
Jan, if you want to experiment with inground attempts, have frost protective tarp that can protect at night. Otherwise, as Durgan says, it is not worth the loss. With the warmth, they grow fast anyways.
They will definitely be protected, with walls of water and probably a cloche on top and maybe some fleece blankets as well if weather forecast is for below zero. I have a lot of plants so I won't be devastated if a lose them. :)
I took a deeper look into the plants you are talking about. WOW!!! talk about having defences, thorns on every part of the plant -- leaves (top and bottom), stems, fruit husks . . . . You'll have to be careful when it comes harvest time !!
http://www.durgan.org/URL/?LitchiO 15 May 2009 Litchi Tomato (Solanum sysimbrifolium) One plant was placed outdoors and will be covered if temperature is low.
Place to purchase seeds. http://www.durgan.org/URL/?VBNGT Greta's Organic Gardens 399 River Road Gloucester, Ontario Canada K1V 1C9 Tel: 613-521-8648 Fax: 613-521-5792 Email: greta@seeds-organic.com Website: www.seeds-organic.com
